Opposition concerned as Hlophe returns to work?
Cape Judge President John Hlophe's return from long leave despite persisting conflict of interest charges against him bodes ill for public confidence in the judiciary, the Democratic Alliance said on Tuesday.
The two months of Hlophe's break should have been used to conclude a probe into claims that he had received money from a private entity, it said in a statement.
A failure to do so, the party said, "means that Justice Hlophe, who returned to work yesterday [Monday], cannot properly carry out his duties".
It is untenable that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development have failed to take appropriate action to date, the DA said.
"Both have failed to take decisive action and the result is a situation in which ... the judge president, the public and the judiciary [do not know] what precisely is happening."
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Brigitte Mabandla has previously said her department was unaware of Hlophe having received permission to accept private payments.
Accused of failing to disclose business interests, Hlophe has reportedly claimed to have had permission from former minister Dullah Omar to receive money from a private company.
He is alleged to have received R10 000 a month from April 2002 to March 2003 from Cape Town-based Oasis Group Holdings in the form of a "consultation tariff".
Hlophe reportedly said he was given "expense payments" for providing his expertise, but denied having received a retainer. He was granted long leave while the JSC investigated the matter.
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=278677&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__national/
OMG WTF
......I cant believe it!! GRRR!! he knew waht he was doing in the 1st place!!! This government is starting to really P*** me off!!! Things will NEVER come right in SA with the way we seem to be dealing with crime!! Pffffts!!
